296 



Crop Prospects Abroad. [July, 



the west. During the second week the weather was less fine, and in some places 

 rain was frequent. Warmth was slightly below the average in the eastern section, 

 markedly so in the west. Rainfall was " light" in England N.E., E., S.W. and the 

 Midlands, "very light " in England S.E., while in Scotland E. and England N.W. 

 it was "heavy," and Scotland W. it was "very heavy." Except in England S.E., 

 where it was "moderate," sunshine was "scanty" (Scotland W. and England N.W. 

 "very scanty") everywhere. In the first half of the third week the w r eather 

 continued changeable, and on Tuesday and Wednesday heavy falls of rain occurred 

 in many parts of England and Wales. On Thursday, however, fair weather set in 

 and continued brilliant for many days. Warmth, therefore, appears for the week as 

 "moderate" in England E., "deficient " in England N.E., S.E. and the Midlands, 

 " very deficient " everywhere else. Rainfall was about normal, and sunshine slightly 

 above the average. During the fourth week the weather was very fine and bright. 

 Temperature was not, however, much different from the normal for the time of year. 

 In England E., S.E. and the Midlands it was actually deficient. It froze on the 

 grass at Harrogate, Cockle Park (Morpeth), Burnley and Greenwich. Rainfall was 

 much below normal, for it was "very light" everywhere, except in England S.E., 

 S.W, and the Midlands, where absolutely no rain fell at all. Sunshine was 

 " abundant " or "very abundant" everywhere. During the whole of the week the 

 weather was anticyclonic, the central part of the anticyclone covering the whole of 

 Great Britain. The wind, which was light, blew generally from between north and 

 east. 



The brilliant weather of the latter part of June made up for the storms that took 

 place in the first week. The reports of serious damage to the fruit died away after a 

 few days and were succeeded by reports of large crops. In Scotland it is reported 

 that rain is much needed in the Midlothian districts. Turnips were a fortnight late 

 at the end of the month. Hay was light owing to the cold weather of May and the 

 heat of June. Cereals are reported to be light and short in the straw. Potatoes 

 looked well. The season has everywhere been particularly favourable to insects, and 

 in Midlothian, in addition to the woolly and other aphides, much damage has been 

 done by the magpie moth and currant moth caterpillars. The "grub" is, however, 

 reported to be less prevalent, and rooks are accused of attacking the potatoes in 

 consequence. In Berkshire the whole month has been hot and sunny, except for the 

 17th when rain fell. Vegetation has gone on well, but rain is much needed. Wheat 

 is coming into ear, but there is not a good prospect. Gooseberries a failure, 

 strawberries and raspberries plentiful. Cherries and apples about half a crop. Hay 

 abundant and put well together. The effects of the heavy snow on April the 25th are 

 now becoming apparent. It is clear that many young birds were destroyed, 

 thrushes, blackbirds and rooks in particular. It is reported that in one rookery 

 where 35 dozen young birds were shot last year, only 13 young birds were shot this 

 year. The reports from Kent are as follows : — The first three weeks very favourable 

 to agricultural crops, then rather scorching ; rain wanted for roots. Fly abundant. 

 Early potatoes ceasing to grow from drought. Corn crops good. Clover hay heavy, 

 meadow hay light. Weather most favourable for fruit. Strawberries earlier than 

 usual and good. Good crop of raspberries, nearly ripe. Good crop of gooseberries, 

 now mostly picked green. W T eather unfavourable to vegetables. 



Germany. — The report issued by the German Statistical Bureau on the state of the 

 crops in the middle of June states that the weather during the previous four weeks was 

 unsettled, but favourable to the growth of crops. Winter 

 Notes Oil Crop grain has developed very satisfactorily nearly every- 

 , where, and both winter wheat and early-soWn rye give 

 PrOSpeCtS Abroad. prom i se 0 f a goo & harvest, while late-sown rye has also 

 much improved. The condition of the spring grain is 

 not quite so favourable, but it is considered that the outlook is quite satisfactory. 



